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Praised for work ethic

Ballage's work ethic and athleticism have made a strong impression on running backs coach Eric Studesville, one of the few holdovers from the old coaching staff in Miami, Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports. "[Ballage]'s a big, physical body," Studesville said. "He can run. He's athletic. He's got a lot of growth to do as far as seeing and recognizing things. His work ethic is tremendous. He's got speed for a big man."

Analysis: A size-speed freak with subpar college production, Ballage was selected at No. 131 overall (fourth round) in the 2018 NFL Draft and spent most of his rookie season playing special teams. He finally got his shot on offense when Frank Gore suffered a season-ending foot injury Week 15, immediately responding with a 75-yard touchdown scamper against Minnesota. The rookie averaged just 3.3 yards on his 35 other carries and 6.2 yards on nine catches, with 12 of his 45 touches (27 percent) going for…read more

Published: Tue, Feb 19 at 7:23am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Records 13 touches in finale

Ballage rushed 12 times for 47 yards and caught his only target for one yard during Sunday's 42-17 loss to the Bills.

Analysis: Ballage's 13 touches during Week 17's blowout loss tied his career high. The rookie fourth-round pick finishes up the season with 36 carries for 191 yards and one touchdown, in addition to nine receptions for 56 yards. Save for a highlight-reel 75-yard touchdown gallop in Week 15, Ballage was not able to use his size, athleticism and pass-catching abilities to differentiate himself among Miami's running back committee. There's little clarity to be found regarding the 23-year-old's future usage…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 30 at 2:04pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Six touches in loss

Ballage rushed four times for 10 yards and caught two of four targets for 39 yards in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.

Analysis: Ballage didn't come near his Week 15 workload -- one that saw him log 12 carries for 123 yards -- disappointing fantasy managers who risked starting him in their lineups. The rookie was mostly stifled alongside the rest of Miami's offense, which managed only 183 total yards on the day. Ballage was able to briefly showcase his receiving chops, averaging 19.5 yards per reception and doing most of his damage after the catch.

Published: Sun, Dec 23 at 1:56pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Primed for more work

Ballage is headed for a key role in the Miami backfield with Frank Gore (foot) expected to miss the rest of the season, ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Getting his first significant playing time as a professional, Ballage responded with 12 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Vikings, while Kenyan Drake saw just four touches despite handling a 53 percent snap share. The rookie fourth-round pick profiles as a more explosive replacement for Gore, who averaged 11.1 carries and 1.1 targets in 14 games this season. A Week 16 home contest against the lifeless Jaguars should give Ballage a decent shot to make it…read more

Published: Mon, Dec 17 at 1:17pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Posts career game in loss

Ballage carried the ball 12 times for 123 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's 41-17 loss to the Vikings. He also caught one pass for a loss of two yards.

Analysis: Ballage benefited from a substantial uptick in carries after Frank Gore (ankle) suffered a sprained foot during the first quarter, and he made the most of his opportunity. The rookie fourth-round pick capped his performance with a highlight-reel 75-yard TD run on the first play of the second half, in which he broke straight through the middle of the line and then outran the Vikings' secondary. Ballage had entered Sunday's game with only eight carries for 11 yards on the season, but his breakout…read more

Published: Sun, Dec 16 at 1:47pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

No offensive snaps Week 14

Ballage did not play a single offensive snap during Sunday's 34-33 win over the Patriots.

Analysis: Ballage's only contributions during the Week 14 victory came in the form of his 19 special teams snaps. The rookie fourth-round pick appeared to have been carving out a niche role in Miami's rushing attack prior to Sunday's silent showing, but his volume projection for the rest of the season is now murky at best. It seems increasingly likely that Ballage won't get much of an opportunity for touches in 2018.

Published: Mon, Dec 10 at 9:31pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Garners career high in touches

Ballage carried the ball four times for just three yards during Sunday's 21-17 win over the Bills.

Analysis: Ballage took a direct snap for an 8-yard gain on his first touch of the day midway through the second quarter. His three subsequent carries all garnered no gain or loss of yardage. On the season, the rookie has just 11 rushing yards on eight carries. A draft-day favorite of position coach Eric Studesville, Ballage hasn't had much opportunity to get into a rhythm this season with the ageless Frank Gore leading the charge and the dynamic Kenyan Drake close behind. Miami was nice enough to give…read more

Published: Tue, Dec 4 at 9:12pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Ineffective in loss

Ballage caught both his targets for a loss of five yards during Sunday's 27-24 loss to the Colts.

Analysis: For the second straight week, Ballage saw work in the passing game but did not log a single carry. The rookie fourth-round pick has brought in all five of his targets this season, but he's yet to make a notable difference with his touches despite his 6-foot-2, 237-pound frame. He'll continue to play a depth role in Miami's offense during the Week 13 tilt against the Bills.

Published: Mon, Nov 26 at 5:40pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Notches one catch

Ballage brought in his only target for six receiving yards during Sunday's 31-12 loss to the Packers.

Analysis: Ballage once again remained relegated to a niche role in Miami's offense. It speaks well of the rookie's pass catching abilities that he saw the field during the Dolphins' first half two-minute drill, but Ballage appears unlikely to carve out a sizeable offensive role this season. The rookie has yet to receive more than 10 offensive snaps in a single game, and he's consequently only worth rostering in dynasty formats.

Published: Mon, Nov 12 at 11:49am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Two catches in win

Ballage recorded one carry for a loss of two yards and caught both his targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 13-6 win over the Jets.

Analysis: Ballage saw his largest offensive workload of the season during the Week 9 win, logging three touches on four offensive snaps. The rookie running back appears to have carved out a niche offensive role, and he's now showcased his pass-catching skills on an NFL field. Ballage is unlikely to garner a notable offensive workload this season behind Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore, but he warrants attention in dynasty formats.

Published: Mon, Nov 5 at 2:27pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Receives one carry

Ballage recorded a two-yard carry during Sunday's 27-17 loss to the Bengals.

Analysis: After sitting out for the first few weeks of the season, Ballage has suited up in each of the past two weeks but has just two carries and five yards to show for it. Ballage is currently buried behind Frank Gore and Kenyan Drake on the depth chart, and it isn't even quite clear how he would stack up against a healthy Brandon Bolden, who missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury. Sunday doesn't look like a breakout opportunity as Miami takes on a Bears defense ranked third in the league in opponent…read more

Published: Tue, Oct 9 at 7:21pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Active for first time Week 4

Ballage recorded one carry for three yards in the Dolphins' 38-7 loss to New England on Sunday.

Analysis: Ballage logged his first NFL carry during Sunday's blowout loss, on what was his only offensive snap. The rookie running back also played 56 percent of Miami's special teams snaps. Week 4's game script forced the Dolphins to quickly turn away from the running game, but Ballage seems to be slowly carving out a larger role for himself.

Published: Mon, Oct 1 at 2:41pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Healthy scratch Week 1

Ballage is a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans, Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis: Kenyon Drake and Frank Gore are listed as the Dolphins' co-starters at running back and reserves Senorise Perry and Brandon Bolden are likely both slated for important roles on special teams, so there was no need for Miami to keep Ballage active as a fifth member of the backfield. The rookie out of Arizona State dealt with a concussion during the preseason that robbed him of two opportunities to impress the coaching staff, but if he shines in practices during the upcoming weeks, Ballage could…read more

Published: Sun, Sep 9 at 9:09am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Effective in preseason finale

Ballage (concussion) took four carries for 25 yards and a touchdown and caught three of four targets for 37 yards in Thursday's preseason finale against Atlanta.

Analysis: After missing the previous two games, Ballage got the starting nod Thursday and immediately took advantage of his opportunity on the first two drives of the night. He finishes the preseason with 14 carries for 62 yards (4.4 YPC) and six catches for 60 yards in two games, locking down the No. 3 RB spot behind Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore. It's a role that probably won't entail many touches, if any, during a Week 1 matchup with the Titans.

Published: Thu, Aug 30 at 6:24pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Not playing Saturday

Ballage (concussion) isn't expected to play Saturday against the Ravens.

Analysis: Ballage is well into his second week in the concussion protocol, and his inability to practice yet indicates he isn't close to gaining clearance for contact. With Ballage again out of commission, Senorise Perry is set to receive the first backfield reps once Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore are done for the day.

Published: Sat, Aug 25 at 2:42pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Sits out Thursday

Ballage missed Thursday's practice as he continues through the NFL's concussion protocol, Alain Poupart of the Dolphins' official site reports.

Analysis: Ballage entered the concussion protocol after last Monday's practice session and his continued absence seems to indicate he could miss a second preseason game. Look for Senorise Perry to see some extra snaps if Ballage is sidelined for Saturday's contest against Baltimore.

Published: Thu, Aug 23 at 3:31pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Still recovering from concussion

Analysis: The rookie fourth-round pick missed last week's preseason game in Carolina and isn't looking good for Saturday's exhibition against the Ravens. His absence isn't a huge concern in terms of Miami's Week 1 gameplan, considering Ballage is expected to start his career third or fourth on the backfield depth chart. If the concussion symptoms linger, Senorise Perry would see his roster odds improve.

Published: Tue, Aug 21 at 8:19am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Sidelined Friday

Ballage (concussion) won't play Friday against the Panthers, the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis: With Frank Gore being rested, Kenyan Drake will start at running back for the Dolphins on Friday, but expect his healthy backups to see plenty of touches once he gets some initial reps.

Published: Fri, Aug 17 at 3:18pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Enters concussion protocol

Ballage has entered the concussion protocol and isn't taking part in Tuesday's practice, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis: Ballage wasn't reported as absent from Monday's practice, so it sounds like he may have sustained the head injury during that session. In any case, it would appear unlikely that he'll be deemed fit to play in Friday's exhibition at Carolina, given the multiple phases of the protocol he would need to pass through ahead of time. Ballage, who tallied 60 total yards on 13 touches in the preseason opener, looks like the favorite to open his rookie campaign as the Dolphins' No. 3 back behind Kenyan…read more

Published: Tue, Aug 14 at 6:14am by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com

Busy in preseason opener

Ballage opened the preseason with 10 rushes for 37 yards and and three catches for 23 yards in Thursday's 26-24 loss against the Buccaneers.

Analysis: Ballage also lost a fumble while attempting to hurdle a defender, kneeing the ball out of his own hands. That rookie mistake aside, the 2018 fourth-rounder ran acceptably between the tackles and showed well as a pass catcher. Ballage is a lock for the No. 3 running back spot as of now, but remains firmly behind Kenyan Drake and Frank Gore.

Published: Thu, Aug 9 at 9:28pm by Rotowire.comMore news and analysis available atNFL.com